Tag: UFC Vegas 78

Sean Strickland accuses Khalil Rountree of being in a cult following post-fight snub

Khalil RountreeKhalil Rountree has zero interest in paying outspoken middleweight contender Sean Strickland any attention. In fact, Rountree refuses to even acknowledge the impending 185-pound title challenger’s existence. On Saturday night, Khalil Rountree extended his win streak to four with a nasty first-round knockout against Chris Daukaus at UFC Vegas 78. The California native moved to […]

Khalil Rountree

Khalil Rountree has zero interest in paying outspoken middleweight contender Sean Strickland any attention. In fact, Rountree refuses to even acknowledge the impending 185-pound title challenger’s existence.

On Saturday night, Khalil Rountree extended his win streak to four with a nasty first-round knockout against Chris Daukaus at UFC Vegas 78. The California native moved to 8-5 inside the Octagon and took another big step toward breaking into the light heavyweight division’s top ten. Following the bout, Rountree spoke with members of the media, but it was made abundantly clear that one particular subject was off-limits.

Asked about his rivalry with the always controversial Sean Strickland, Khalil Roundtree was quick to quell the conversation, suggesting that he has no idea who ‘Tarzan’ even is.

“I don’t even know who that is, dude,” Rountree said. “You guys keep asking me about this name. I don’t even know this person.”

In 2022, Strickland targeted Khalil Rountree after the budding 205-pound contender delivered an emotional post-fight speech regarding his struggles with mental health. Strickland immediately directed his aim at Rountree, calling him a “PC beta male” and a “special needs” person. Rountree refused to engage and instead took the high road, hoping that Strickland would one day “learn to be a better person.”

With Sean Strickland gearing up for a high-profile world title fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September, it’s understandable why members of the media are quick to bring up the embattled middleweight scrapper whenever the opportunity presents itself, but clearly, Roundtree was not having it.

Sean Strickland Accuses Khalil Rountree of Being in a Cult

As expected, it didn’t take long for Sean Strickland to respond in his own unique way. Taking to Instagram, ‘Tarzan’ accused Khalil Rountree of being in a cult. Specifically the ChoiceCenter Leadership University, an organization that offers “adult and teen personal development and leadership courses using experiential learning to elevate Emotional Intelligence (EQ).”

“When your level 100 @choicecenter tells you not to talk, you listen…,” Strickland wrote in response to Roundtree’s post-fight snub on Saturday night.

Strickland also attempted to start a #FreeRoundtree hashtag while doubling down on his claim that the ChoiceCenter Leadership University is a glorified cult. “You guys I’m not messing with you @choicecenter is a cult. We gotta rescue Roundtree,” he added.

UFC Vegas 78 broadcast takes cheap shot at Francis Ngannou, riles up MMA fans on social media

Francis NgannouIt’s no secret that there is some lingering tension between Francis Ngannou and the UFC. The pair had a less-than-amicable split from one another at the beginning of the year following a series of failed negotiations. At the time, Ngannou was the reigning UFC heavyweight world champion, but he was more than willing to give […]

Francis Ngannou

It’s no secret that there is some lingering tension between Francis Ngannou and the UFC.

The pair had a less-than-amicable split from one another at the beginning of the year following a series of failed negotiations. At the time, Ngannou was the reigning UFC heavyweight world champion, but he was more than willing to give up the gold for greener pastures, and that’s exactly what he did.

Francis Ngannou went on to sign a ground-breaking deal with the Professional Fighters League, but he continued to be a thorn in Dana White’s side after securing a high-profile boxing match against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, pulling ‘The Gypsy King’ away from a proposed hybrid-rules fight with Jon Jones under the UFC banner.

Well, Uncle Dana and company let it be known that ‘The Predator’ is still living rent-free in their heads on Saturday night as the promotion took a rather blatant dig at the African-born superstar.

Middleweight standout Tafon Nchuckwi made his return to the Octagon on Saturday night for a clash with AJ Dobson. Though the bout itself left little to talk about, fans were quick to spot an interesting fact that popped up on the screen during Nchuckwi’s walk to the cage.

Dead center on the screen, the graphic clearly reads, “Only Cameroonian Fighter in UFC History” which is a blatant, and honestly infantile dig at former heavyweight division staple Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ was born and raised in Batié, Cameroon before relocating to Paris when he was 26 years old.

During his reign as UFC champion, Ngannou was often marketed as an African-born champion, alongside other champions hailing from the world’s second-largest continent, including Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya.

Fight Fans Slam UFC For Attempting to Erase Francis Ngannou

The promotion’s attempt to essentially erase Francis Ngannou from UFC history quickly drew the ire of fans online, with one saying, “That’s insane, he was literally the heavyweight champion. Why do they think they can just try to erase his legacy? Actually shameful of them.”

Another happily reminded the UFC that despite their best efforts, fight fans will always remember Ngannou’s iconic run inside the Octagon. “This is pettiness beyond what I expected. Yall can try but fans will never forget the most lethal KO artist in UFC history.”

You can check out some of the more scathing reactions to the UFC’s cheap shot at Ngannou below:

Vicente Luque outlasts Rafael dos Anjos in exhausting five found war – UFC Vegas 78 Highlights

Rafael dos AnjosVicente Luque snapped a two-fight losing skid on Saturday night, besting former lightweight world champion Rafael dos Anjos in the UFC Vegas 78 main event. Through five rounds of intense back-and-forth action, dos Anjos attempted to put his exquisite grappling game to work, but somewhat of a surprise turn, it was Luque who dominated the […]

Rafael dos Anjos

Vicente Luque snapped a two-fight losing skid on Saturday night, besting former lightweight world champion Rafael dos Anjos in the UFC Vegas 78 main event.

Through five rounds of intense back-and-forth action, dos Anjos attempted to put his exquisite grappling game to work, but somewhat of a surprise turn, it was Luque who dominated the bout, particularly in the clinch where his strength was on display throughout the 25-minute affair.

RDA appeared to hold an advantage on the feet when he opted to let his hands go, but dos Anjos only used the striking as a means to close the distance and initiate the clinch. That game plan continuously backfired as ‘The Silent Assassin’ was easily able to control the clinch and reverse position when needed. RDA began to show some urgency in the fifth round, but by then, Luque was in complete control and cruising toward an undeniable decision victory.

Official Result: Vicente Luque def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47).

With the victory, Luque moved to 15-5 inside the Octagon while his opponent, Rafael dos Anjos, fell to 21-13. RDA has now lost two of his last three while Luque has found the win column in five of his last seven scraps inside the Octagon.

Check Out Highlights From Rafael dos Anjos vs. Vicente Luque at UFC Vegas 78 Below:

Khalil Rountree stops Chris Daukaus with massive first round KO in fourth straight win – UFC Vegas 78 Highlights

Khalil Rountree stops Chris Daukaus with stunning first round KO UFC Vegas 78Now comfortably riding a run of four consecutive victories, damaging light heavyweight contender, Khalil Rountree has landed yet another vicious knockout win — tonight defeating former heavyweight headliner, Chris Daukaus with a massive first round stoppage on the main card of UFC Vegas 78. Rountree, an alum of The Ultimate Fighter — entered tonight’s matchup […]

Khalil Rountree stops Chris Daukaus with stunning first round KO UFC Vegas 78

Now comfortably riding a run of four consecutive victories, damaging light heavyweight contender, Khalil Rountree has landed yet another vicious knockout win — tonight defeating former heavyweight headliner, Chris Daukaus with a massive first round stoppage on the main card of UFC Vegas 78.

Rountree, an alum of The Ultimate Fighter — entered tonight’s matchup with divisional newcomer, Daukaus off the back of a recent split decision win over recent UFC Nashville winner, Dustin Jacoby.

Prior to that, Rountree managed to secure consecutive finishes over both Modestas Bukauskas, and Karl Roberson with bruising TKO wins.

And calling for his first spot in a headlining clash inside the promotion off the back of tonight’s win, Rountree, who entered tonight’s main card clash as the number 13 ranked contender, managed to stop Daukaus inside the opening frame with a thunderous left hand straight — sending the Philadelphia native to the canvas in crashing fashion, before following up with a slew of devastating ground punches.

Below, catch the highlights from Khalil Rountree’s knockout win over Chris Daukaus

Polyana Viana reveals the UFC denied requests to wear cosplay ahead of return: ‘I’ve tried so many times’

Polyana Viana reveals UFC rejected multiple requests to dress up in cosplay for Octagon walkUFC strawweight, Polyana Viana revealed that she has tried to walk out in cosplay, but the UFC has denied her on multiple occasions. The UFC is far from the times when fighters could wear custom shorts and walk-out gear, adding a flare to the sport. For an individual sport, it seems odd that the athletes […]

Polyana Viana reveals UFC rejected multiple requests to dress up in cosplay for Octagon walk

UFC strawweight, Polyana Viana revealed that she has tried to walk out in cosplay, but the UFC has denied her on multiple occasions.

The UFC is far from the times when fighters could wear custom shorts and walk-out gear, adding a flare to the sport. For an individual sport, it seems odd that the athletes in the world’s biggest MMA organisation have such a strict uniform policy – especially considering how little fighters are paid to wear the sponsor’s clothing.

The UFC even went as far to ban fighters carrying their country’s flags, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise that Viana was not allowed to sport any form as cosplay. Viana is a big anime fan and regularly posts photos to social media of her dressed up of characters from shows

“I’ve tried so many times and I’ve actually asked to come in with a bandana,” Viana said to the media. “They’ve never allowed it. I wanted a cape. I’ve tried with like a blank bandana – I can’t. Apparently, Naruto is a brand that does not allow it or something like that. I’ve tried so many times. I’ve asked. They never let me do it, but if I could, I definitely would.”

Polyana Viana fights at UFC Vegas 78

Viana will take on Iasmin Lucindo on the main card of UFC Vegas 78 tomorrow night and will look to build on her win over Jinh Yu Frey last November. After an 0-3 start to her time in the UFC, Viana has enjoyed a nice 3-1 run in her past four and a win on Saturday could see her get a crack at the top-15.

Polyana Viana talks to media ahead of her bout at UFC Vegas 78

Should the UFC have let Polyana Viana walk out in cosplay?

Colby Covington backed to win UFC title in grudge fight with Leon Edwards: ‘I think he’s going to mix it up’

Colby Covington picked to beat Leon Edwards at UFC 295 by Rafael dos Anjos 60 percent chanceFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has picked former interim welterweight champion and common-foe, Colby Covington – to defeat another former opponent, current undisputed welterweight gold holder, Leon Edwards, in an expected UfC 295 title fight. dos Anjos, a former undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he featured on the main card of […]

Colby Covington picked to beat Leon Edwards at UFC 295 by Rafael dos Anjos 60 percent chance

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has picked former interim welterweight champion and common-foe, Colby Covington – to defeat another former opponent, current undisputed welterweight gold holder, Leon Edwards, in an expected UfC 295 title fight.

dos Anjos, a former undisputed lightweight champion, has been sidelined since he featured on the main card of UFC Orlando back in December, submitting Bryan Barberena with a second round neck crank in Florida. 

The Niteroi native is slated to headline UFC Vegas 78 this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada – taking on fellow Brazilian contender, Vicente Luque in a main event bout at the UFC Apex facility.

Sharing the Octagon with both Clovis native, Covington, and Birmingham technician, Edwards during his initial stint at the welterweight limit, dos Anjos suffered a decision loss to both – the first of which in an interim welterweight title fight.

Rafael dos Anjos backs Colby Covington to beat Leon Edwards in expected UFC title fight

And with the knowledge of sharing 10 rounds against both Covington and Edwards, Brazilian veteran, dos Anjos has predicted the former wins welterweight gold, in an expected UFC 295 title fight in November at Madison Square Garden.

“It’s a very tough matchup,” Rafael dos Anjos said of a bout between Colby Covington and Leon Edwards during his availability with assembled media ahead of UFC Vegas 78. “I would say, 60-40. Sixty per cent chance for Colby Covington winning this fight. I give Colby a slight advantage.”

“His wrestling skills, and he’s got a pretty good standup, too,” Rafael dos Anjos explained. “But I think he’s going to mix it up more with the takedowns than (Kamaru) Usman did, and he’s going to have a better chance than Leon Edwards.” 

Sidelined since March of last year, MMA Masters trainee, Covington most recently returned to the winner’s enclosure with a unanimous decision win over former welterweight title challenger and former training partner, Jorge Masvidal in the pair’s long-awaited grudge match. 

Who are you picking to win between Colby Covington and Leon Edwards?